Rear-End Accident Attorney

If you have been driving for a number of years, it is likely that you have been involved in at least one rear-end collision. When such accidents take place in heavy traffic, though jarring and inconvenient, they do not usually cause serious vehicular damage, but they may (even when the victims do not experience much discomfort at the time) still result in painful, long-term injuries. This is one of the primary reasons you need the strong personal injury attorneys of Nagel Rice LLP at your side.

Our law practice has extensive experience in dealing with clients injured during rear-end accidents and knows all too well how seemingly slight injuries may become chronic, even disabling, problems in the future. Once you become our client, we will chart a strategic course to win you a settlement or verdict that is sufficiently substantial to cover your medical costs, your lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Nagel Rice Has Your Back

Nagel Rice car crash attorneys have a proven track record of success. We have obtained settlements and verdicts for our clients far beyond their expectations. One case in point is a $4.05 million settlement for a client in Morris County who was paralyzed as a result of a rear-end collision. Many other settlements, verdicts, and testimonials are available for scrutiny on our website. They graphically demonstrate our commitment to our clients, our vigorous representation of their issues, and our high rate of success in collecting the damages they deserve.

Reasons for Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents are very common, accounting for approximately 29 percent of all vehicular crashes. Evidence of the fact that most of these are due to inattention on the part of the driver in the rear can be found in the fact that 81 percent of such collisions occur when the front vehicle has already stopped. Clearly, the simplest way to avoid hitting the car in front on you is to leave adequate stopping distance between the two vehicles. Unfortunately, however, there is nothing you can do to prevent yourself from being the victim of such a crash since you cannot control the movements of the person driving behind you.

There are a number of reasons for rear-end collisions. In almost all cases, the driver of the rear vehicle is considered responsible for:

Distracted driving (eating, reading, texting, etc.)

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

General inattention or drowsiness

Reckless driving

Road rage

Speeding

Tailgating

Exceptions to the Rule

Though not typical, your car may also be rear-ended because the car behind you has a mechanical defect, such as faulty brakes, or because your car’s brake lights or hazard lights are not functioning properly. In such circumstances, it is possible that the other party may not be considered at fault. Liability may rest with the car manufacturer, dealer, or repair shop. The more complicated or ambiguous the particulars of the accident, the more you need a highly capable, knowledgeable attorney on your side.

Whatever the reason your vehicle has been impacted from behind, it is wise for you to contact both your doctor and one of our skilled accident attorneys to have your situation assessed. It is important for you to be evaluated medically since, even if you are not in pain at the moment, the doctor will be able to assess your range of motion and other aspects of your medical condition that may indicate injuries that may cause future difficulties. Our office is well-prepared to clarify your legal options.

If You Have Suffered a Serious Injury Nagel Rice Can Help

Sometimes, of course, rear-end collisions occur at high speed, resulting in serious injuries as well as increased property damage. Common injuries seen in serious rear-end accidents include:

Rear-end collisions are common in stop-and-go traffic when a second or two spent changing a radio station or adjusting a mirror can result in a fender bender.The trouble is that, even at a very low speed, a rear-end crash for which you or your passengers are unprepared can result in whiplash injuries; it should be noted that in most rear-end crashes airbags do not deploy, making it more likely that you will suffer a neuromuscular or orthopedic injury.

Don’t make the mistake of taking a quick settlement from the other driver’s insurance company. More than likely, the fact that they are making you a quick offer means that they know that their policyholder is at fault. Not surprisingly, they want to get themselves off the hook as rapidly as possible.

When Both Parties Bear Some Responsibility for the Accident

Most states in this country recognize the possibility that more than one party may be at fault in an accident, even a rear-end collision. New Jersey is referred to as a “modified comparative fault” state, meaning that an injured plaintiff can only collect damages if he or she bears less responsibility for the accident than the individual being sued. Because rear-end collisions are most often considered the fault of the driver in back, this is usually not an issue for the front driver in making a claim of damages. Nonetheless, the plaintiff’s compensation will be lessened by the percentage of blame the court assigns to that person. If, for example, the driver of the front car is determined to bear 10 percent of the fault for the collision and the court awards that person $100,000 worth of damages, the plaintiff will receive only $90,000.

What Sets Nagel Rice Apart

Personal injuries attorneys abound in New Jersey. The trick is to find a trustworthy lawyer who will take a personal interest in your case and who will work tirelessly to bring you justice.

Our astute attorneys will accumulate all accident-related data, including medical information, witness accounts, and police reports and begin putting together a cogent case for you. Our goal is always to get you the most possible compensation for physical damage, personal injuries, wage loss, and pain and suffering. We will never charge you a fee until we obtain damages to see you through the hard times ahead.

Contact Our Rear-End Collision Lawyers

It is in your interest to get in touch with Nagel Rice as promptly as possible, both because there is a 2-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims in New Jersey, and because our attorneys will be better able to reconstruct the accident the sooner we can amass information about it. If you have been injured in a rear-end car accident, do yourself a favor and get in touch with Nagel Rice by phone or by filling out one of the contact forms on our website. The sooner you contact us, the sooner you will have the peace of mind of having hired competent, compassionate attorneys who want nothing more than to help you receive the damages you deserve.